"The theme of this year's catalogue is the present, since it forms the second in the trilogy 'Past/Present/Future', planned and designed by Laurenz Brunner and Tan Wälchli. By focusing on theoretical and practical aspects of book design, the publication is the outcome of a selection procedure concerned with questions of aesthetics and production. On the other hand, it also serves as a forum for debate on relevant and vital concerns in the wider field of book design. The catalogue is divided into three sections. The 'interview', conducted after the jury session, addresses issues crucial to this year's competition. The 'essays' elaborate on a number of these issues, such as the relationship between art and the relevance of that distinction within the framework of book design, changing conditions of production from the print-on-demand publications to individually handmade books, the marketing of art books in an age of declining sales, and the role of the designer as author versus service provider.
The third section of catalogue contains the detailed jury reviews in words and pictures, providing not only a concise presentation of the jury's verdict but also offering conceptual background from the designer's point of view as well as technical details of the award-winning books." (from the introduction by Anisha Imhasly)